King’s Hop Bitters added to Florida Collection

03 January 2014

I received an e-mail from Lou Holis (Lake Alfred, Florida) regarding a potentially unlisted or at least, extremely rare bitters. I wanted to congratulate Lou on his find and the rather nice pictures he sent to represent the bottle. Always something exciting happening in the bitters world.

Hi – I have the Ring and Ham book but not the Supplement. Just wondering if they list 2 sizes for this rare one that is 6 1/4″ tall by 2 1/4″ wide by 1 1/2″ deep with an applied ring top. Have found nothing on this bottle on the web, just Worthpoint had the 8 1/8″ variant listed. Bought it on ebay, Buy It Now Option where most bottles are found. It was a UK seller. The bottle will be at the Suncoast Antique Bottle Show & Sale on the 11th of January. Have a great day.

Lou Holis (Lake Alfred, Florida)

PS: The bottle was dug on an 1880s-1890s refuse tip in Dorchester Dorset in 2005. It was the only example that was found and the whole site was excavated. It was a filled in chalk pit and a housing development now covers the site.

See original ebay listing

Lou:

The Bitters Bottles Supplement lists K 53.4 for the 6 1/4″ size example that you hold. It is listed as extremely rare and an English bitters. The K 53.5 is listed in the original book as 8 1/8″ tall by 3″ x 2″. In both cases, I see that I do not have examples in my collection. Searching online, I do see the example you mention being sold previously and the K 53.4, smaller size, being sold by Alan Blakeman and BBR Auctions.

Bitters Bottles Group. 6.25 To 10.75 inches tall, includes Codd bottle, aqua glass, embossed “The Stockport Bitters Company” plus Codd bottle, embossed “Taylors/ Perfection/ Hop Bitters Brewery/ Manchester”plus Roses Orange Bitters bottle, embossed “Roses/ Orange/ Bitters” to one shoulder “L. Rose & Co/ London & Leith” to the other plus “Kings / Hop Bitter” rectangular bottle (K 53.4). Considerable scarcity. – BBR Auctions

King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.5), larger size previously sold in 2008 ebay auction.

This is a tough one to track information on as the bottle has no label and I can find no advertising. Maybe this post will flush out some information.

King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

About Ferdinand Meyer V

Ferdinand Meyer V is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and has a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Ferdinand is the founding Principal of FMG Design, a nationally recognized design consultation firm. Ferdinand is a passionate collector of American historical glass specializing in bitters bottles, color runs and related classic figural bottles. He is married to Elizabeth Jane Meyer and lives in Houston, Texas with their daughter and three wonderful grandchildren. The Meyers are also very involved in Quarter Horses, antiques and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past 6-year President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors and is one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.

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